Wood Dale, Illinois-based AAR Corporation, the largest operator of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities in the U.S., continues to expand its presence in Illinois.

In 2014, the company announced the opening of a new MRO hangar at the Chicago-Rockford International Airport and continues to grow its presence in the state. The expansion includes a 200,000-square-foot facility, large enough to accommodate the largest, wide-body aircraft in use today, and the creation of up to 500 jobs within five years.

AAR says it chose Rockford for its ideal location, cost effectiveness and warehousing and distribution network. Another major factor was Rock Valley College’s decision to expand its aviation maintenance program with a $5.1 million, 40,000-square-foot training center to produce more certified mechanics for AAR and the region’s aerospace and aviation cluster.